Michael J. “Mitch” Appleby Sr. – Dubuque

Michael J. “Mitch” Appleby, Sr.

Mitch Appleby passed away peacefully in the early morning of May15, 2024,
following a long struggle with heart disease. A visitation will be held on
Monday, May 20 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Egelhof Siegert & Casper Funeral
Home at 2659 John F. Kennedy Road in Dubuque. A memorial service will be
held on Tuesday, May 21 at 10:00 AM at Christ Church Dubuque in Fountain
Park , 2728 Asbury Road, led by Pastor Chip Gatto. Following the service
there will be a luncheon at the church.

Mitch was born on August 12, 1946, in Manchester, Iowa, the son of Donald
Appleby and Aleda Ruth (Taylor) Appleby. In 1989 he was united in marriage
to Leslie Einhorn. They have three children: Michael J. Appleby Jr. of Lincoln,
Nebraska, Abigail Appleland of Cedar Rapids, and Joshua Appleby of Dubuque.
His three surviving siblings are Bill (Linda) Appleby of Pella, Iowa, Rick
(Elaine) Appleby of Loveland, Colorado, and Jim (Mary) Appleby of Newton,
Iowa. He was preceded in death by his older brother David (Helen), and by
his previous wife Cynthia, who succumbed to cancer.

Mitch retired in 2017 from Dubuque Stamping where he worked for 17 years
as Network Administrator. Prior to that he spent 9 years in Manchester
running his own computer business. He was also previously employed by
Daylight Screen in Warsaw, Indiana and by Sea Nymph boat company in
Syracuse, Indiana, working as a draftsman. In his younger years he was a tour
guide at the Grand Canyon, and later worked with the group Wandering
Wheels, a Christian outreach group based at Taylor University in Upland,
Indiana which sponsored bicycle trips across America for college age students.
Mitch was a committed Christian who centered his life around the gospel of
Jesus Christ. He was a member of Christ Church Dubuque and participated in
the worship team for the Sunday morning services, playing string bass. The
church body has been a second family to him.

Mitch enjoyed working with his hands and was skilled at woodworking,
building everything from guitars to sailboats. He was also an avid
motorcyclist. He played a number of musical instruments, including guitar
and string bass. His other hobbies included baking, sewing, and hunting.
Mitch was able to find enjoyment in many aspects of everyday life. He took
particular interest in learning how things are built and manufactured, and was
able to repair almost anything, creating his own tools as needed.
Mitch was loved by many and will be dearly missed.